Do you frequently wake up with a feeling of great fatigue and irritation? Does your family think your snoring sounds like a jet engine? You just may have sleep apnea. This problem can be extremely harmful and it is best you seek to remedy the situation right away.
Learn how to play a wind instrument. Studies have found that playing a wind instrument like the flute or the didgeridoo can help with sleep apnea. Wind instruments exercise your breathing and help your body get accustomed to taking in sufficient amounts of air. Your throat will be able to better control airway dilation.
If you decide to try a CPAP machine, do not give up until at least a few weeks. A lot of sleep apnea patients give up before they really get a chance to get used to their machine. Wait until you are comfortable with sleeping while wearing a mask and you should really notice a difference.
Sleep Apnea patients using a CPAP machine may find that a humidifier is their best friend. The continuous passage of air from the machine can dry out sensitive nasal membranes, creating discomfort. A room humidifier, placed near the machine, often provides the humidification needed for comfortable sleep. If that isn’t sufficient, machines with integrated humidification chambers are available and allow the patient to customize the amount of moisture they receive.
Clear up your nasal passage before heading to bed. If you suffer from sleep apnea and have problems with a “stuffed up” nose, using a nasal spray or device can help clear your nasal airway. This is not a permanent solution, but one you can use when your apnea symptoms are the worst.
Try yourself to sleep on your side. If you fall asleep on your back, gravity can make it easier for your tongue and/or tonsils to fall back into your throat and obstruct your windpipe, causing apnea episodes. While it may be hard a first, as time passes, however, it will start to become second nature to sleep on your side.
Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed after a thorough medical examination. Also, your doctor may want to try a sleep study on you. Depending on the results, you may be referred to a specialist.
Lose a bit of weight to get rid of your sleep apnea. A lot of people find that if they shed weight they will help the apnea. You can have relief from sleep apnea symptoms by losing as little as 10 pounds.
The first thing to do when you think you are dealing with sleep apnea is to discover if it is really apnea or just advanced snoring. If you have a loved one sleeping with you, this can be done alone at home, but if not you may need to visit a sleep clinic.
You can curtail the symptoms of this affliction by doing tongue exercises. One exercise you can try involves putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth, then keeping it there for at least 180 seconds. You will make your muscles stronger, and you will have better results with your other treatments.
If you have sleep apnea, and you smoke, it’s crucial that you quit right away. Smoking causes the throat to inflame, making it hard for air to get into your airways. In fact, studies suggest that smoking may cause or worsen sleep apnea in some patients. So, avoid it altogether!
Even though sleep apnea can cause serious health problems, treatment is available. In the previous paragraphs, you found several tips to aid you in finding immediate relief. If they do not prove to be effective, talk to a doctor right away about other options.
